A ROW has erupted over the future of a planned £250m racetrack after a wildlife group vowed to fight the project.

A ROW has erupted over the future of a planned £250m racetrack after a wildlife group vowed to fight the project.

Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) are set to campaign against the Circuit of Wales project, attacking the development for its “disregard” of the area’s nature and saying it will destroy a small town’s worth of wildlife.

But in response, the Heads of the Valleys Development Company said that simply isn’t true, claiming that as recently as last month, the GWT had endorsed their “comprehensive” survey into its environmental impact.

The development would be expected to attract 750,000 people to the area annually, with 9,000 jobs created both in the construction and the running of the 830-acre site. The size of the development is what is causing the issue, with GWT concerned the development is “jumping the gun” when it comes to wildlife.

They say the proposed site to the north of Rassau is not wasteland, but is full of exciting and valuable wildlife such as the hen harrier, red kite and many species of rare dragonflies.

The GWT also criticised the fact that none of the publicity surrounding the site had made mention of its existing nature conservation value, saying it would wipe out a 300 hectare area of wildlife.

A spokesman said: “To proceed as if planning permission is a foregone conclusion shows a disregard for the lawful planning process, and more importantly, a lack of understanding of how much people in Blaenau Gwent care about the nature around them.”

Tom Clarke, GWT chief executive, said: “Based on our concerns for the welfare of local wildlife, Gwent Wildlife Trust will be opposing this development on principle.

“We would be failing in our duty to protect wildlife if we did not oppose its destruction on this scale.”

In response, the developers said they were “disappointed” after being in constant talks with the GWT and spending nine months putting together the Environmental Impact Assessment.

They added that the estimates of damage to the environment were inaccurate, with plans being formed for off-site mitigation and habitat creation.

Michael Carrick, chief executive of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company, said: “We have already significantly altered the design of the project to reduce any impact on the environment, which highlights just how seriously we take these matters.

“This is a project that is set to transform the local economy and the lives of people in Blaenau Gwent by attracting thousands of much-needed jobs and training opportunities to the area – but we are certainly not taking anything for granted.

“Subsequent to the meeting we had with GWT in September, we have identified areas that could form part of an off-site mitigation package for the scheme.

“Opportunities for mitigation/ habitat creation within the application boundary would also be adopted where possible – particularly in the north western part of the site beyond the gas main.

“In addition, the area of habitat loss quoted is inaccurate: parts of the site would be largely retained and managed as part of the development, and mitigation (habitat creation/restoration) would also be created.

“GWT is aware that we are in discussion with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to deliver their ecological aims in other locations throughout the county borough, which have the potential to deliver mitigation on a scale similar to the range of habitat types as are present at Rassau.

“The GWT has indicated that it seems keen to be involved in this process. Having long emphasised our transparency on this project, we will continue to hold community consultations throughout Blaenau Gwent – dates for which can be found on Circuit of Wales’ website – and look forward to re-engaging with the people of Blaenau Gwent in the near future,” said Mr Carrick.